Handley Library invites community to garden on Sept. 11

Handley Regional Library has announced that major construction has been completed for the Mike Foreman Rotary Reading Garden, and that the planting phase will take place at 4 p.m. on Sept. 11.

The library invites helpers of all ages to install perennials, bulbs and shrubs on Sept. 11, which is designated as a national day of service and remembrance.

Employees of Lowe’s will instruct volunteers in proper installation techniques. All interested volunteers are asked to bring gardening gloves and help bring the new garden to life.

The garden is named for Mike Foreman, civic leader, noted local historian and speaker, and ardent library supporter. Foreman was clerk of the Winchester Circuit Court for 28 years before retiring at the end of 2003. Foreman had been a member of the Rotary Club of Winchester for 31 years.

The Mike Foreman Rotary Reading Garden at Handley Library will officially open at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 25 with a celebration that includes giant games of chess and checkers, refreshments and general remarks.

The celebration will acknowledge the many donors to the library. Major donors are the Rotary Club of Winchester, Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation and Linda F. and Ronald E. De Shong in memory of Grace Irene Donald Albright. Additional funding and in-kind donations were provided by area businesses, individuals and groups, including the Friends of Handley Regional Library.

Local artist John Burns contributed the design for the colorful window graphic that provides the backdrop for the stage area that the library will use for performers and story times. The Friends of Handley Regional Library contributed the window graphic.

One of the features of the garden is a large chess- and checkerboard with one-foot squares. The library has large-scale chess and checker pieces that individuals will be able to check out and use when the library is open.